The Akanamali hit maker Sun-El Musician continues his sensational rise with him being selected for the New Artist spotlight on Apple Music for May. It means his debut album (releasing 27 April) entitled Africa to the World, will literally be taken to the world as he featured across the Apple Music ecosystem as a hero artist.

The long-awaited DJ-producers’ album Africa to the World is a mix of masterful arrangements and strong vocals featuring local artists Desiree Dawson, Lelo Kamau, S-Tone. The first single Bamthathile spotlights Mindo The Vocalist and looks set to reprise last year’s success.

Iconic South African band Freshlyground has released their new album Can’t Stop! Produced by Tore Johansson (OK Go!, The Cardigans, Franz Ferdinand), the long-awaited record comes off the back of an exciting fan-driven crowdfunding campaign.

Can’t Stop is the band’s 7th studio album and features the hit single BLCK GRLS, as well as the intoxicating Mna Nalamagenge, a collaboration with The Soil. The album is a true-to-their-roots variety of fresh and funky material, spanning genres and featuring musical luminaries such as Karen Zoid and Oliver Mtukudzi.

Steven Lee, previously part of the group FOUR that won X-factor SA back in December 2014, is back with his very first single as a solo artist, Only You. The song is set to be released to all major radio stations this month. Only You will showcase why Steven was not only a massive hit in the strenuous reality TV show, but also selected out of thousands of local and international entries as the ultimate winner of an online competition (“Motorokr Star”) back in 2009, with none other than Wyclef Jean and Fergie of the famed group The Black Eyed Peas mentoring this talented artist in New York City after he walked away with top honours.

As part of FOUR, Steven has performed in front of tens of thousands as the opening act for One Direction and Nicki Minaj, which he recalls as one of the highlights of his life as he fondly remembers “what can only be described like the sound of thunder when audiences went wild”.

Commenting on Only You, with lyrics written by Steven himself, he says: “The song is all about that one special person out there who you are almost addicted to and makes your heart pound whenever you are in the same room together. But it’s far more than just the typically ‘I only have eyes for you’ kind of love song. It’s that person who is also your best friend, who you can be romantic with, but at the same time also just be comfortably silly, funny and yourself with.”

Steven describes himself as a “believer” and says that others who know him will most likely say that he is funny, very friendly and honestly just an ordinary, down-to-earth guy.